Hazel Crest woman dies in homicide, man charged

A 41-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of a Hazel Crest woman on Sept. 3, officials said.

Erika Ellison, 35, was pronounced dead at 5:02 p.m. Monday at Advocate Christ Medical Center, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. An autopsy determined that she had died of multiple gunshot wounds and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the office.

Shelley Gaston, 41, was charged with first-degree murder for her killing and was ordered held on $1 million bond, said Andy Conklin, a spokesman for the Cook County State's Attorney's office.

Ellison was Gaston's ex-girlfriend and the two had lived together for many years until this spring when Gaston kicked Ellison and her children out of his apartment, prosecutors said.

Gaston later changed his mind and was trying to get Ellison back but she did not want to return to him, prosecutors said.

On Sept. 2, Gaston took Ellison to a concert and afterward they returned to Gaston's apartment, prosecutors said.

While in the apartment on the 18100 block of Kedzie Avenue, the two were heard arguing at about 4 a.m. after Ellison told Gaston she would not return to him because he had previously kicked her and her children out, prosecutors said.

A witness then heard gunshots and saw him leave out of the parking lot in his van, prosecutors said.

Ellison was found bleeding on the ground in the parking lot with three gunshot wounds to her head, face and back, prosecutors said.

Gaston fled to a friend's house and told his friend that he may have killed Ellison, prosecutors said. He was later arrested in Chicago after having changed his clothes, shoes and discarding his gun, prosecutors said.

He was arrested at 95th and State Street, prosecutors said.

Ellison had lived with Gaston along with her 13-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son, according to her mother Mary Ellison.